Per our sister site Deadline, the three-time Emmy winner will appear in 12 to 15 episodes — aka a similar stint as last year, the difference being that Parenthood this coming season earned a full 22-episode order.

What last we tuned into the family drama, Hank had invited Lauren Graham’s Sarah to move with him to Minnesota, getting a definite-ish possi-maybe answer in return. Sarah had just broken things off with the other man in her life, Mark, played by Jason Ritter (who stars in the midseason Fox comedy Us & Them).

EP Hudgins, meanwhile, assured us that Sarah’s storyline for Season 5 will not focus, as it has in the past, on her roller coaster love life. “There is a very conscious effort on our part to set Sarah on a path that will really let her shine,” he said. “And in conjunction with that, she may still have some love interests.”

No. Now I know to FF all of his and Sarah’s scenes. Ugh. I can’t believe people want Sarah with a man who knowingly sabotaged her relationship with another. THAT is what people find interesting and romantic and grounds for a great relationship? Nope not for me. Plenty of other characters on the show to invest in.

I disagree. I think he not only has good chemistry with Lauren, but also with Miles Heizer (Drew) and Max Burkholder (Max). Truth be told, I actually like the Hank character a lot better for Sarah than Jason Ritter’s Mark. They’re both damaged individuals, and it feels to me like their broken pieces fit. I never felt that way about Mark and Sarah.

So Connie Britton gets Coach Taylor and the cute guy on Nashville and they give Lauren Graham Hank??? Seriously? No. I’d rather Sarah Braverman be alone than with Hank. I don”t think he has much to add to her life — he constantly needs her to make him better about his life. I’ve learned to always avoid men like that – no good can come from it. Can’t they just let her get strong and accomplish getting a secure job (that’s not dependent on dating her boss) and having the thrill of being able to independently get a place of her own again? Poor Lauren. :(

What does Connie Britton have to do with this?? Lauren said in an interview she hoped Ray came back, so she’s clearly ok with it. Maybe she enjoys good acting. And really, Jason Ritter, Jon Corbett, Billy Baldwin… not really like she got the short end of the stick. And she’s dating Peter Krause… not like she’s into looks.

Well, Amy, did you just seriously diss Peter Krause? Because that makes anything you say automatically invalid. Peter is 10,000 times hotter than Ray … no comparison. And what Lauren has actually said in interviews, if you’ve been paying attention, is that it’s not her favorite thing that Sarah’s storyline is determined by the male guest star of the season and would like for Sarah to become more independent. If you’ve noticed, she stated at Paley fest that it was incredibly difficult for her that Jason Ritter isn’t going to be on the show, and she wears matching necklaces with Jason, Mae & Miles because they became a little family on the show and the set. It’s unfortunate the writers didn’t tap into that more. Most importantly, you failed to address the most important part of what I wrote, which is Hank constantly needs Sarah to make him feel better about his life and that’s a person you don’t want to be in a relationship with. So… no.

I actually did not like Hank’s character at all. He was stubborn and just one big baby. He would ask Sarah to do things purposely so it affected hers and Marks relationship. Horrible choice. Mark was really great and they had awesome chemistry.

Absolutely. I couldn’t stand Mark so I’m glad Jason Ritter is on his own show now (making him unavailable). Hank is flawed but endearing. Mark had no depth. He was like a lonely puppy waiting for her to love him and that sort of thing is disgusting. Plus their “chemistry” was about as interesting as a bowl of oatmeal. I’d rather have not seen either one of them again, though.

Can we just focus on Sarah getting a real bed? Baby steps. Though for these writers — who’ve let Sarah stay stagnant and/or regress for the past four seasons while every other Braverman has moved forward — it might be too big of an ask.

Yes, yes, yes, a million times yes!!! I LOVED Hank. He was such a great soul for Sarah, be it as a romantic insterest or just a good friend. I’m glad Jason Ritter has a new show. I love the actor, but hated Mark & Sarah together. It was so creepy.